Museum finish line in sight after tournament

 

The Mangawhai Bowls Annual Men’s Fours Charity Tournament on March 29 and 30 has raised more than $10,000 towards construction of the museum on the corner of Molesworth Drive and Thelma Street.

The two day bowls tournament saw 128 players from all over the North Island compete, including a team from this years platinum sponsor Bayleys Real Estate.

Bayleys has also pledged support for next years tournament in a bid to see the new museum finally open its doors.

During play on Saturday March 29 Bayleys ran a silent fundraising auction including 22 items.

“There was great bidding and inter-est all round that kept people gazumping each other throughout the day,” said Bayleys Mangawhai manager Sandy Allen.

A live auction run by Bayleys auctioneer Chris Findlay followed during a player’s dinner that evening.

Eight headline items, including a stainless steel six-burner barbecue, a holiday for eight at a bach in Oakura and a signed vest worn by former New Zealand Blackcaps cricketer Daniel Vettori, were sold to enthusiastic bidders.

“A great night was had by all with an after dinner impromptu sing-a-long and dance to guitars and ukuleles by some of the visiting bowlers,” said Mrs Allen.

The much-anticipated new Mangawhai Museum has been in the making for more than a decade, with locals raising around $1.5 million towards the architecturally-designed building.

It is hoped the museum will prompt the return of items with historical significance to the area - that until now have been kept in other museums around the Northland region.

Exhibits will follow the ‘story of the Mangawhai Harbour’ theme, drawing on Maori, early settler and natural histories, conservation and cherished holiday stories from the many families to have enjoyed the beach town.

A dedicated area will provide access to family histories and genealogy.

Mrs Allen says a cheque with proceeds from the bowls tournament and auction will be presented to The Mangawhai Historical Society to help pay for the final museum interior fit-out.